The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-09-29
The Farmer BOYS.
Lime Springs Correspondence.

he FARMER Boys.
Lime Springs Correspondence.
Mr.. EDIToR:-It makes no differ
ence in what business young per-
son is engaged, whether farming,
mercantile or laboring if he has a
desire to improve his talents he will
find some time each day for self i'm
provement, hence no one can give as
a reason for being ignorant Il never
attended school much. but the ques-
ton that induces itself is, have You
taken proper advantage OF every op-
portunity during your life in order to
educate and enlarge the amplitude OF
the mind.
As we glance over the pages OF his
tory OF our country we are convinced
Of the fact that most Of our noted
men in their childhood, in the days Of
their innocence, were engaged in
performing farm work. While on the
farm they became strong, intellectu-
ally and physically; their minds be-
came bright and vigorous.
As a general rule the farmer boys
think that their circumstances are
such as render it impossible for them
to perform brain work, but indeed, it
is an errone GUS and false impression
In order to accomplish we must labor
diligently, labor with determination
to conquer. There is no place on
earth that bestsow favors to the stu
dious as the farm. for one lives close
to natures heart.
The busy time is over now, long
Autumn nights, favorable conven-
fences; all needed is determination to
work and that put in operation. II
proper advantages be taken OF the
evenings one can accumulate vast
store Of useful and universal knowl-
edge: from eight o'clock until ten can
be devoted to study with out in
terfering with ones health.
Far better for the young is to be in
the family circle pursuing thoughts
concealed under the garb Of words
than walk to town, or meandering
wildly about the neighborhood, or
pacing the streets with unnecessary
steps. Man is the only creature
which possesses the power or ability
to pursue learning and education.
He is bestowed with superior under
standing, reason and judgment,
hence it is mans duty to cultivate his
powers. knowledge affords great
pleasure for those who seek her, gives
satisfaction and contentment. The
farmer boy while ploughing or har-
rowing or while performing various
duties can cultivate his intellectual
powers to great extent, as the mind
is in perpetual operation it should
have worthy objects to dwell upon.
The natural tenor of the mind is to
build air-castles, and the sooner we
are deprived of the art the better of
|, we shall be. We often hear this rea-
son presented by the farmer boys,
We have no time for study after
toiling in the fields all day long, we
are too tired to study but We will
quote a pathetic story which we re-
| Gently read about. A little pale fac
, ed scotch urchin who presented him
, self before the principal partner OF
! furnishing firm in Glasgow and ex
! pressed his desire to be occupied as
errand boy. There is q deal o. run
! ming to be done said Mr.. Black jest
, Iingly affecting a broad Scotch accen
i "your first qualification would be !,
pair O shoon.' The boy, with 1
, grave nod disappeared and twt
| months elapsed before he was able *
! procure the necessary outfit for hi
! admission as errand boy, then he wa
: found again at the Office and tn
: highly treasured articles in his pos
session. Il have the shoes, sir" h
s said. Recalling the occurrence tn
Y manager said. but you need clothe
t before you can be admitted. TIL
8 boy hesitated q moment then quietl
disappeared. Six months rolled b
e and the boy was again found at tn
It Office dressed appropriately. TIL
gentleman questioned him about hi
education and for his grievance foun
that the boy could neither read G
write, which was absolutely necel
essary for the position he applied TO
Again the man told him that he wa
not qualified to render it possible IL
his admission. In the same manne
as before the boy left, travelled ii
teen miles and found work in q stab
near to night school which he o
tended and in q year he was foun
!. before the same man and said, II ca
D read and write, sir" He was instan
d ly hired, labored diligently and fina
q ~ became head manager of the tirll
= Late President Garfield when q be
. driving horses by the ca nal alwa!
had q book at hand and when til
J. horses stopped he would glance at I'll
I. pages. The above are only two il
u stances Of many, but they prove su
. nciently what q person can do. No
= the farmer boys possess rare adval
9. tages compared with the above, on
y all that is needed is determination
e excel, for without determination Oh
r can not accomplish anything gres
i and noble, Of course there are diffe
. ent stages Of determination, and on
n OF them may be termed Of the mule
~ .:.l
nature. egHiv.. lieo We see Two iieAe-